SEC=UGA Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Washington (CNN) – Lanny Davis joined Ari Fleischer Sunday in calling for Hearst Corporation to take quick action against legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas for recently saying that Israel should “get the hell out of Palestine,” and that the Jewish people should go home to “Poland, Germany … and America and everywhere else.” Thomas was also dropped by her agent Nine Speakers, Inc. Sunday, CNN has learned, and Craig Crawford, who coauthored “Listen Up, Mr. President” with Thomas, said in a blog post that he “will no longer be working with Helen on our book projects.” Thomas has apologized for her comments that she made to Rabbilive.com about Israel. Specifically, she was asked, “Any comments on Israel?” “Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine,” she responded. The interviewer then asked “Any better comments on Israel?” To which Thomas said, “Remember, these people are occupied and it’s their land. It’s not German’s. It’s not Poland’s.” Thomas was then asked where the Jews in Israel should go and what they should do? Thomas responded, “They should go home” which the White House reporter identified as “Poland, Germany . . . and America and everywhere else.” Thomas is considered the “dean” of the White House press corps after decades covering the presidency. The syndicated columnist for Hearst Corporation’s newspapers holds a privileged seat in the front row of the White House press briefing room where she regularly fires sharp questions on the major issues of the day at White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. In the apology posted on her website Friday, Thomas said she “deeply” regretted her comments. “They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.” But her apology was not enough for Davis, who served as special counsel to former President Bill Clinton. “Helen Thomas, who I used to consider a close friend and who I used to respect, has showed herself to be an anti-Semitic bigot,” said Davis. “This is not about her disagreement about her criticisms of Israel. She has a right to criticize Israel and that is not the same as being an anti-Semite.” Davis added, “If she had asked all Blacks to go back to Africa, what would White House Correspondents Association position be as to whether she deserved White House press room credentials - much less a privileged honorary seat?” Previously Fleischer, who served as press secretary for former President George W. Bush, said Thomas should be fired because of her remarks. And in a statement provided to CNN Sunday he reiterated that demand. “Helen's statement calling for the religious cleansing of Israel is reprehensible,” Fleischer said. “If this isn't bigotry, what is? What she said is as bad as someone saying all blacks should leave America and go back to Africa. “Hearst Newspapers should do the right thing and let Helen go,” Fleischer added in the statement. Update, 8:33 p.m.: The Anti-Defamation League has provided CNN with a written statement regarding Thomas' remark and apology. "Helen Thomas’s statement of regret does not go far enough. Her remarks were outrageous, offensive and inappropriate," ADL national director Abraham H. Foxman said in the statement. Foxman added, "Her suggestion that Israelis should go back to Poland and Germany is bigoted and shows a profound ignorance of history. We believe Thomas needs to make a more forceful and sincere apology for the pain her remarks have caused." I understand that this is not the most politically correct thing to say, but racist, anti-semitic and bigoted? Believe me, I believe this woman is a self rigteous bitch, but, I just don't see these comments as being grounds for dismissal from her jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I understand that this is not the most politically correct thing to say, but racist, anti-semitic and bigoted? Believe me, I believe this woman is a self rigteous bitch, but, I just don't see these comments as being grounds for dismissal from her jobs. That's what I love about old people, they speak their minds and don't care what anything thinks. I don't think she's a bigot based on these remarks, but it was not the best judgement and it is probably about time she retire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_gop_liars Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 She needs to change her title from journalist to entertainer, then she can make stupid comments all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I think she was out of line and the comments were out of place.... I agree with what she's saying, but she is just living up to her reputation...and not a very good one.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 She needs to change her title from journalist to entertainer, then she can make stupid comments all the time. Then she'd lose her place in the Whitehouse Press Corps, and she'd still catch hell from some anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rattsass Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Then she'd lose her place in the Whitehouse Press Corps, and she'd still catch hell from some anyway. Old age is a dangerous weapon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 As long as she doesn't say send the illegal Mexicans back to Mexico, it's all good in today's society. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rattsass Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 As long as she doesn't say send the illegal Mexicans back to Mexico, it's all good in today's society. True. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 she gone Longtime White House correspondent Helen Thomas, who recently made controversial comments about Israel and the Palestinians, has retired, HearstCorporation said Monday. "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians," Thomas said in a statement. "They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.’’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borge007 Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 She needs to change her title from journalist to entertainer, then she can make stupid comments all the time. Maybe she could work for FOX "news"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWmaker Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Will there be some kind of comment forthcoming from The Hearst Corporation? She's an idiot and had to go, imo. I guess it's a good thing she wasn't standing by the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark! ZAPPO!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 she gone Maybe she'll head back to where she came. UglyLand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Maybe she'll head back to where she came. UglyLand. She's go-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohn I, I'd better learn how to face it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MojoMan Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 (edited) She has a pretty thin bio considering whe had 57 years in the WH press corps. Never seemed to have broken a big story; seems just to be a "first woman" thing. Edited June 7, 2010 by MojoMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I think she had spent so long in the WH Press Corps, she had contracted the disease that afflicts politicians - arrogant and completely out of touch. She wasn't so much a journalist as a relic that no-one dared touch, like e.g. Strom Thurmond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 I think she had spent so long in the WH Press Corps, she had contracted the disease that afflicts politicians - arrogant and completely out of touch. She wasn't so much a journalist as a relic that no-one dared touch, like e.g. Strom Thurmond What he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Must be related to Keith Obermann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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